The Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, revealed on Saturday that the Punjab school education department has taken decisive action against a private school in Jalandhar. This stern action comes in the form of a show cause notice, prompted by the school’s failure to include Punjabi as a mandatory subject in its curriculum.

According to the official release, Bains became aware of the school’s omission of Punjabi as a compulsory subject, prompting him to direct officials from the school education department to issue a show cause notice to address this concern. The minister expressed serious concern about the matter, emphasizing the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity of the Punjabi language. He made it clear that any disrespect towards the language would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Highlighting the legal framework in place, Bains referenced the Punjab Act-2008 on the Education of Punjabi and Other Languages. This legislation mandates that every school in the state must include Punjabi as a compulsory subject from the first to the tenth standard. The minister underscored the significance of adhering to this legal requirement.

Despite the existing regulations, Bains noted that the department continues to receive complaints about violations by some private schools in the state. He issued a stern warning, indicating that strict action would be taken against any violators of the act. It is evident that the government is resolute in ensuring that all schools, particularly private institutions, comply with the statutory obligation to include Punjabi as a compulsory subject.

In a plea to private schools across Punjab, Bains urged them to prioritize the compulsory teaching of Punjabi in adherence to the legal mandate. This proactive stance by the education department underscores the vital role of language in preserving cultural identity and heritage within the educational framework of the state.

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